Fotballklubben Union Carl Berner is an association football club from Grünerløkka, Oslo, Norway.

FK Union Carl Berner
Full nameFotballklubben Union Carl Berner
Founded9 November 2008[1]
GroundRommensletta,
Oslo
LeagueFourth Division
20236th (Oslo I)

The club was founded as FK Fremad Famagusta in 2008 as a team for people from the Lillehammer region residing in Oslo. Mirroring the old team FK Fremad from Lillehammer, the "Famagusta" moniker was also added to honour Anorthosis Famagusta.[2][3][4] Chess champion Magnus Carlsen notably played for the team as a hobby.[5]

Fremad Famagusta experienced several promotions and managed to reach the Fourth Division, but withered during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway when, among others, the entire 2020 season was annulled below the Second Division. Contesting the 2021 Fourth Division, the team decided to fold. The club was however resurrected under a new identity, Union Carl Berner. The name is inspired by Union Berlin and the geographical area around Carl Berners plass, but also the pub Carls co-owned by Union Carl Berner chairman, former agent Lars Petter Fosdahl.[2][3][4]

Winning repromotion to the 2023 Fourth Division, Union Carl Berner promptly constructed a rivalry with Grüner IL, the respective clubs representing different parts of Grünerløkka borough. The rivalry was dubbed "Bydel Classico".[2][3][4] In 2024, Union Carl Berner reached the first round of the Norwegian Football Cup for the first time.[6] Facing Vålerenga, they opted to play at Vålerenga's historical home ground Jordal Idrettspark.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Fotballklubben Union Carl Berner". Fotball.no. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Brodahl, Viljam (2 May 2023). "Løkka-oppgjøret vekker oppsikt: Inspirasjonen er hentet fra verdens største fotballkamp". Avisa Oslo (in Norwegian).
  3. ^ a b c Angell, Per Tho (15 October 2023). "Agenten som hoppet av" (in Norwegian). TV 2.
  4. ^ a b c Karstensen, Pål (29 April 2023). "Møtes til historisk bydEl Clasico: – Skal vise at vi er kongene av Løkka". Dagsavisen (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Bakkehaug, Wegard (31 May 2014). "Carlsen ladet opp til Norway Chess som venstreback". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  6. ^ Høilund, Anders (26 March 2024). "14 oslolag spiller 1. runde i cupen. Det ligger an til flere tette lokaloppgjør rundt om i byen". Vårt Oslo (in Norwegian). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  7. ^ Herrebrøden, Øyvind. "«Publaget» som møter Vålerenga: – Skal riste i Oslo-fotballen". VG (in Norwegian). 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.